All humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Worldwide, we find that human rights issues are being addressed at different levels and degrees in relation to their own social, political, economic needs and contexts. So what happens when a society conditions and normalises contexts to the extent that its citizens remain unassuming and unaware to alternatives of living?
Our hopes for a more just, safe, and peaceful world can only be achieved when there is universal respect for the inherent dignity and equal rights of all members of the human family.
Human Rights in India
“The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.”
~ John F. Kennedy
For dignified existence of human beings Human Rights are necessary. Under the pioneering efforts of the United Nations, global concern for Human Rights has become a common concern which has been focused on the observance of Human Rights. The United Nations has gradually expanded human rights law to encompass specific standards for women, children, and persons with disabilities, minorities and other vulnerable groups. Rights of the citizens are the pillars of democracy. No political system can claim to be democratic, if it fails to make provisions for rights of people. That is why all democratic countries make provisions for the enjoyment of certain fundamental rights by its citizens. Pursuant to this, India too has made provisions for certain fundamental rights in the Constitution. The basic question is why the notion of human rights has become significant in contemporary global affairs, even if there is adequate arrangement of citizens’ rights at national level in each country? There are a number of factors responsible for their growing significance in the contemporary world. It is now well established that people have certain basic rights as human beings, without which individuals cannot develop their best. Thus, human rights are needed for the development of people as well as society. The development of and expansion of democracy has also emphasized that the people and their rights and human dignity are at the heart of the governance and a pre-requisite of good governance. The contemporary process of globalization anchored by the growth of information and communication technology has led to the increasing connectedness among nations, communities and people at global level. The world has become what Mac Luhan calls a ‘global village.’ Thus, the violation of human rights or rights of people in one part of the globe may lead to threat to the peace in other parts also. Thus, the positive association between the respect for human rights and global peace has become more pronounced in the era of globalization. Therefore, the protection of human rights is no more a national concern merely but it has become now a global concern. Also the international human rights regime has become more elaborate and systematic. The international human rights regime acts as watchdogs to monitor the conduct of states and rulers globally. The establishment of the International Criminal Court has to a great extent expanded the scope of human rights violation even by individual rulers and administrators. So the protection of human rights is used not only to measure the human development across the world but also as a precondition for conducting trade or advancing financial assistance by donor agencies as well as rich nations.
In India, the Supreme Court and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) are playing a pivotal role in ensuring the observance of human rights by all organs of the State. In 1993, in order to protect and promote human rights, the Human Rights Protection Act was enacted which led to the establishment of the NHRC on 12 October 1993. With the establishment of this Commission, the Government of India has sent out a clear signal to everyone about its commitment to uphold, protect, promote and implement human rights. Perhaps, the learning process that builds up the required knowledge, values, and proficiency of human rights of which the objective is to develop an acceptable human rights culture (Human Rights Education) has long been initiated in many countries including India. This type of learning teaches people especially students to examine their experiences from the human rights point of view enabling them to integrate these concepts into their values and decision-making.
India has had a history of human rights protection and violations. The numerous laws and acts passed to protect, promote, preserve and observe human rights have however been mired by communal riots and rampant human rights violations. Armed Forces in the process of maintaining public order in ‘Disturbed Areas’ under AFSPA, 1958, extensive rights violations that took place during the Emergency in 1975-1977, Operation Blue Star and the subsequent 1984 Anti-Sikh riots, Hashimpur massacre during communal riots in Meerut in 1987, desecrating Hindu temples, killing of Hindus and Sikhs, and abductions of foreign tourists and government functionaries since 1989, Demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 after a political rally at the site, 2002 Gujarat riots which claimed at least thousand lives of Muslims and Hindus, 2006 Extrajudicial disappearances in Punjab by the police, etc.are clear indications of human rights issue in India. As per the 2016 Report of Human Rights Watch, India has serious human rights concerns. Even to this day these serious human rights concerns remain as a threat to the nation. While the scrapping of Article 370 and 35A is considered as a big milestone for the unity and integrity of India, many are of the opinion that allegations of human rights violations in Kashmir must be thoroughly investigated. The issues of state atrocities, religious violence, and caste related violence, crime against women and children and other forms of human rights violations which are still burning issues in India need to be checked. Education in India needs to be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It needs to promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace, security, harmony and cohesion.
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Dr. Pfokrelo Kapesa, Webei Tsühah, Meren and Kvulo Lorin.
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